Climate change is driving beavers into Canada's Arctic, where they are reshaping the landscape

North American beavers (Castor canadensis) began colonising parts of Canada's Arctic in 2008, as shown by a study using shrub growth scars and satellite images.

Beaver dams are reshaping the Arctic landscape by creating ponds, which can affect permafrost stability, fish habitats, and water flow.

Climate change is driving beaver expansion northward as rising temperatures increase shrub growth, providing food and building material for beavers.

The study, published in Ecosphere, combined dendrochronology and satellite observations to build a timeline of beaver activity in the Northwest Territories.

Researchers say this method can help track wildlife spread and environmental changes in remote Arctic regions with limited long-term records.